THE PROBLEM

Islands have been the site of 80 percent of extinctions, and invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species are among the leading causes. Invasive species are non-native organisms whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human, animal, or plant health.

THE SOLUTION

Overcoming the threat to native plants and animals, and the human communities that rely on islands, requires improving biosecurity measures and removing invasive species from islands. This allows the islands to recover and helps other conservation and restoration activities be more successful.

BACKGROUND

Islands are home to an estimated 20 percent of all bird, reptile and plant species, and 40 percent of all critically endangered species. Islands are often home to remarkable plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. Because islands are often very remote, their ecosystems and native species have not evolved to quickly adapt to new species introductions. However, the remoteness of islands also provides an unmatched opportunity to save unique and imperiled plants and animals.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages islands in more than 200 national wildlife refuges. Many of these refuges have invasive species, which may affect as many as 161 federally endangered or listed species.

Recognizing the importance of island ecosystems and their vulnerability to disturbances and invasive species, in 2015 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partnered with Island Conservation, a nonprofit partner, to adopt the National Island Restoration Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU aims to facilitate invasive species removal for the benefit of native plants and animals on islands. More partners have since signed on.

In 2024, three new signatories joined the collaborative framework, bringing the total number of signatories to nine, and underscoring the growing commitment to safeguarding island biodiversity and resilience. Today, the National Island Restoration MOU continues to drive important conservation efforts. It has enabled tangible successes in restoring the nation’s vital island ecosystems.

The MOU supports cooperative activities that protect, maintain, restore, and enhance native species and island ecosystems. It also promotes effective management and conservation research by sharing information and other resources associated with conservation management of natural resources for island restoration projects across the United States.

Achievements
Achievements to date include:

• Species protection. Restoration efforts have safeguarded numerous threatened or endangered species by improving their habitats and reducing key threats
• Ecosystem recovery. Targeted projects have facilitated the recovery of fragile ecosystems, enabling greater biodiversity and ecological balance.
• Enhanced biosecurity against island invasive species. Strengthened biosecurity measures are reducing the risk of new invasive species introductions, protecting the integrity of restored ecosystems.
• Eradication of invasive species. Collaborative initiatives have led to the removal of invasive species from some critical island habitats, permitting the recovery of native flora and fauna.
• Community engagement. The MOU has facilitated partnerships with local communities, fostering stewardship of island environments.
   

New Signatories
The three new signatories bring additional expertise, resources, and perspectives. They are:

• U.S. Geological Survey. A leader in scientific research, USGS will contribute critical data, analyses, and tools to guide invasive species prevention and management projects.
• Office of Insular Affairs. Focused on the unique needs of U.S. territories, the OIA will provide support for initiatives that address cultural and environmental priorities in insular areas.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Wildlife Services (USDA, APHIS-WS). Specialists in research, biology, and field applications, WS are experts in wildlife damage management. A previous signatory (2016-2022), USDA APHIS re-signed for 10 years after their old agreement expired.

“The USGS appreciates the opportunity to join this MOU and build on our island-based invasive species science collaborations with the other members,” said Paul Heimowitz, manager of USGS’s Terrestrial Invasive Species Program. “From research and tools that support brown tree snake rapid response in the Pacific to the development of new ways of detecting invasive species that enhance island biosecurity worldwide, the USGS has a rich history in the co-production of invasive species science and looks forward to continuing this engagement with our island restoration partners.”

Jason Suckow, director of the USDA-APHIS-WS’s National Wildlife Research Centers, said, “We are honored to work closely with Island Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other partners to help conserve and restore native island ecosystems for future generations.”

Vanitha Sivarajan, ecologist with the Office of Insular Affairs, said, “It is an exciting opportunity to join this MOU. Strengthening the Insular Areas’ invasive species and biosecurity needs is a high priority for OIA. Though the islands where we work in the Pacific and Caribbean regions may be small and remote, these islands are all interconnected by land and sea...”

Looking ahead, the expanded MOU coalition aims to:

• Scale up restoration and island invasive species biosecurity projects, prioritizing actions on islands with the highest ecological and cultural significance
• Strengthen partnerships with international island restoration efforts, sharing best practices and fostering global collaboration
• Identify shared priorities for invasive species research that benefits island restoration.

IOU signatories:

1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2015)
2. Island Conservation (2015)
3. American Bird Conservancy (2016)
4. The Nature Conservancy (2020)
5. National Park Service (2020)
6. Pacific Rim Conservation (2022)
7. Office of Insular Affairs (2024)
8. U.S. Geological Survey (2024)
9. U.S. Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (2016 and renewal 2024)